“I forgot I have an early appointment tomorrow.”
“On a Sunday?”
“Money never sleeps. It was nice to meet you.” He turned around and reached for Madison. She walked over, and he wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into him. He kissed the side of her head.
“Don’t worry. I always have you.” And he would for as long as she let him be a part of her life. He would be there for her.
Chapter 16
Madison followed Dante out. Why was she never good enough? Only Dante had stood up for her against her mom. He might have only did it because he appeared to feel sorry for her. No matter how hard she tried or what she did, it wasn’t enough.
Even if she won the competition, her mother would have something to say. At least Dante didn’t fall for her mom’s tricks. Her mom assumed she was too stupid to know that any boy she brought over or who asked her out ended up sleeping with her mom.
Her mom was the reason she never had a boyfriend and was a virgin. She looked over at him as he drove them back to his place. She could tell he was upset. She put her hand on his thigh and squeezed it.
She supposed that he was mad for her until he took her hand off his thigh. Then she realized he was mad at her, but why?
“Why are you mad at me?”
“What makes you think I’m even mad, let alone mad with you?”
“Well, one, your jaw is tight and you’re gripping the wheel like you want to kill it. I think you’re mad at me because you moved my hand. You never don’t want me to touch you. Even when you’re mad. You say I calm you down.”
“Do you think maybe I don’t want to calm down?”
“Why not?”
“They disrespected you and no one said anything.”
“It was only my mom.”
“No, your brother and father just let her put you down.”
“Thanks for not taking my mom up on her advances.”
“You knew?”
“Yes. I’m not as stupid as you all think I am.” Or maybe she was. “Besides, the guys told me they slept with my mom. So maybe I didn’t know at first, but everyone made sure I knew after the fact.” There was pity in his eyes. “Nope.” She held up her hand. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear it.”
“Then didn’t what Henry said change your mind? He might die. Do you want to give up your chance to get what you’ve been working so hard toward to do something for someone who can’t even stand up for you. I would cut them off.”
“Did you cut Enzo off?”
“No.” His jaw clenched again.
“Why?”
“Because he’s family.” Came out between gritted teeth.
“Exactly. It can’t be only family counts for you.”
“You’re right.” He came around the car and opened the door for her like he always did and pulled her out and into his arms. He wrapped her in a hug. She wanted to cry. But she didn’t.
“He even said you could still do the interview. You don’t need to be there the whole time. Will you consider still doing the interview?”
“I just want to go inside. I’m ready for bed.”
Madison followed Dante up the steps. She didn’t think she and Dante would work out. They were just too different. And the most important thing was he had different rules for her than for himself and expected her to follow those rules.
